Cheek, who allowed a run and two hits in five innings in improving to 3-0 Friday against Venice, suffered a bruised left hip, chest and shoulder. But like Banks, he did not need a doctor's clearing to play and got back on the field soon after the crash. Schmidt's return, however, remains a question mark. The right-hander had staples taken out of his left arm Wednesday and will start light tossing next week. Hilbert said there is a possibility Schmidt could return for the post-season.

Even while the three were out, Dunedin did not miss a beat. The No. 2 team in the Tampa Bay Top 10 (8-1 through Thursday) got quality outings from John Irving and Lakewood transfer Jeremy Billotti.

"We're pretty deep pitching-wise," Hilbert said in an understatement. "That's where we're blessed."

But the Falcons also have realized they were blessed in another way -- only Schmidt was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. "It's just a big wake-up call for everybody," Cheek said. "A lot of people now, the first thing they always tell us is to make sure to buckle up. That's my mom's first and last thing to tell me every single morning.

"Matt, I love you, have a good day, make sure to buckle up.' She's been saying that ever since I've been driving. But now it's definitely sinking in."

TOURNEY TRIUMPH: Indian Rocks Christian emerged as a somewhat surprising champion March 3 at the 11th annual Sentinel tournament in Fort Myers. IRC beat host Fort Myers Evangelical 2-1 behind a 13-strikeout complete game from Christopher Cranfield. It then topped Highlands Christian in eight innings for the title.

Highlands Christian beat previously unbeaten Northside Christian in the other semifinal. In the final, freshman Caleb Welsh picked up the game-winning RBI.

BITS: Through Wednesday, top-ranked (in the Tampa Bay Top 10 and Baseball America) Seminole had won four consecutive games by 10 runs or more. Monday, John Killalea no-hit Countryside in five innings. ... Lakewood ace Kyle Crump pitched a one-hitter against Largo on Monday. He already has a no-hitter this season, Feb. 13 against Tarpon Springs. ... From the "ouch" department, St. Petersburg Catholic blasted Mitchell 24-0 Thursday. The Mustangs, in their first season, fell to 0-10.